21 November 2014

Alliance director welcomes final step in women bishops legislation

The general director of the Evangelical Alliance has personally
welcomed the formal adoption of women bishops.

The legislation was passed by a simple majority of the
Church of England's General Synod – the final stage of legislative process.

The Synod voted to back the revised women bishop
proposals, and the legislation has passed through parliament and received Royal
Assent.

Women have already been nominated for the vacancy in
Southwell and Nottingham, but no announcement will be made until January 2015.
Gloucester, Oxford and Newcastle will also be making new appointments soon.

Speaking
after the legislation was formally passed, Steve Clifford, general director of
the Evangelical Alliance, said: "I am personally pleased that women can
now formally become bishops in the Church of England after a long, and for some
painful, process. I join with many evangelical Christians who have prayed for
this day.

"I
continue to pray for unity among those who might disagree, and look forward to
welcoming the first appointment soon."

Women currently make up a third of
the clergy, and worldwide there are already 29 women bishops.

Elaine Storkey, member of the General Synod and the
Alliance's Council, said: "This final vote on women bishops wasn't an anti-climax. But with
all the debates behind us, along with the agreement of parliament and royal
assent, it was a formality.

"Now, those of us who
have long-cherished this vision of biblical equality need to reassure those who
have been opposed that they are much needed and respected in the Church of
England.

"When our unity stays
focussed on Christ, our unique Saviour, and on the Gospel revealed in the scriptures,
we can go forward together into healing, growth and mutual service."

In an earlier Alliance report – Life
in the Church? – 80 per cent of evangelicals expressed their belief that women
should be able to preach and teach, however most attend churches that are led
by men.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby,
said this week: "Today we can begin to embrace a new way of being the Church
and moving forward together. We will also continue to seek the flourishing of
the church of those who disagree."